Aryan Khan with ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’; Tisca Chopra with ‘Saali Mohabbat’: Meet the debut directors of 2025

One of the most highly anticipated new directors of 2025 was Aryan Khan, son of the King of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan, who became a member of the film industry with his web series ‘The Ba**ds of Bollywood.’ A unique comedic series that explores the more humorous and satirical elements within the film industry. The show's satirical tone not only created a buzz but also provided numerous opportunities for viral moments. Ultimately, Aryan’s debut became one of the most discussed directorial launches of the year.

Boman Irani made his directorial debut with ‘The Mehta Boys,’ focusing on the layered relationship between a father and son. Starring Boman himself alongside Avinash Tiwary, the film explored emotional conflicts often left untouched in mainstream cinema. It premiered at several international festivals, including the International Film Festival of India, the Chicago South Asian Film Festival, and the Indian Film Festival Berlin. The film was later released on OTT for a global audience. It opened to largely positive reviews.

Former lawyer Karan Singh Tyagi stepped into direction with ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ after working as a writer in the film industry. Featuring Akshay Kumar and Ananya Panday, the film revisited the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre from the perspective of advocate Sir C. Sankaran Nair. The narrative attempted to combine history with courtroom drama. The film earned appreciation for its intent and performances. At the box office, it delivered a moderate performance.

Kussh S Sinha, son of actor and MP Shatrughan Sinha, chose to explore filmmaking behind the camera with his debut, ‘Nikita Roy.’ The thriller starred his sister Sonakshi Sinha in the lead role. Despite having a known cast, the film struggled to stand out amid stiff competition. The release coincided with the strong ‘Saiyaara’ wave, which impacted its visibility. As a result, the film largely went unnoticed by audiences.

2025 marked Sonu Sood’s entry into direction with ‘Fateh,’ released early in the year. The film revolves around an ex-agent who is forced to step out of his peaceful life to dismantle a powerful cyber mafia network. Sonu also played the lead, sharing screen space with Jacqueline Fernandez. Despite its action-driven premise, the film received mixed critical responses. It also struggled to make a strong impact at the box office.

Actor Tisca Chopra made her directorial debut in 2025 with ‘Saali Mohabbat.’ Starring Radhika Apte, the film followed a small-town housewife whose ordinary life is disrupted by two disturbing deaths. Produced by Manish Malhotra, the film also featured Divyenndu in a key role. ‘Saali Mohabbat’ opted for a direct-to-OTT release. It received mixed to positive responses from critics for its storytelling and performances.